The Times: City close on Negredo

Seville striker Álvaro Negredo is on the verge of a move to the Etihad Stadium according to reports this morning.

The 27-year-old Spaniard would provide a replacement for former Blues forward Carlos Tevez in a deal worth about £23.8 million – claims The Times.

“The club are in pole position to make the Seville striker, 27, their third summer signing after the arrival of Jesús Navas, the winger, and Fernandinho, the Brazil midfielder, for a combined £45.9 million,” the paper reports.

“Negredo’s expected arrival would take City’s spending to almost £70 million, although they brought in £7.7 million from the sale of Tévez, the Argentina striker, to Juventus.”

Elsewhere, there are thoughts Costel Pantilimon may be set to stay with the Blues for one more season after uncertainty over his future at the club.

“The Romainian goalkeeper has been convinced to see out the final year of his contract at Manchester City, according to a report,” claims sportsmole.co.uk.

“The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium after being axed for the FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic, despite featuring prominently in the run-up to Wembley.

“Fiorentina were rumoured to be eyeing up a swoop for the Romanian international, whose agent admitted that he would be interested in a move to Italy.

“However, the Manchester Evening News report that new boss Manuel Pellegrini has persuaded him to stay an extra year.”

Finally this morning, Maicon has been told he can leave City if the club receives a reasonable offer for the Brazilian. That's if a report from the Manchester Evening News is to be believed.

“The 31-year-old right-back had an injury-hit first season for the Blues, making just 11 appearances – and the club will listen to offers, underlining their resolve to keep Micah Richards,” writes Stuart Brennan.

“Roma head the list of clubs wanting Maicon, who moved to Manchester last summer in a £3m deal, but they are unlikely to match his wages, and he still has one year left on his contract.”

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